10 Questions with ... Chris "Muttley" Stevens

1) What was your first job in radio? Early influences?

First job was an AM/FM in Cameron, MO KMRN, oh so long ago! I don't know if there were any influences per say, my love has always been music and all there is that goes along with that, so the logical step was to head to radio where I could essential be around music 24 hours a day, so that being said my influences were more from the stations I grew up around in Kansas City, KYYS KY-102 when it was an AOR format, KCFX and of course KQRC.

2) What led you to a career in radio? Was there a defining moment, which made you realize "this is it"?

I caught the radio bug when a very good friend of mine Wes Jeffries, formerly Middays at KQRC would invite me into the inner sanctum of the industry and from my brush with that I lead into an almost obsession with becoming a part of the madness. There was no defining moment that made me say, "Hey this is it, it sort of just came to me, almost gradually, like a rash!"

3) You were at KJML (Rock 107.1) for over eight years. What were some of the major highlights for you during your tenure there?

Most of the major highlights were the connections that I made with the listeners, it was truly incredible how the listeners and I had become one big happy family, it was as if we all worked at the station, after that it was the people that I worked with, it was very much like family at KJML there and they will all be missed.

4) Congrats on your new gig with KTRX in Ardmore, OK. How long have you been at the station and how are things going to this point?

I have been here nearly 3 months now and I couldn't be happier, the culture is very positive and there are no egos in the building it is very much like a family that I felt a part of since my very first day, I am also allowed freedoms when it comes to on-air and programming that you don't see much in the current climate of radio.

5) You're programming and doing afternoons. Are you doing any special features in the afternoon?

I am currently only doing a couple of features in the afternoon, my Threesome at 3 (three songs from the same artist) and Bassackwards at 4:20 (30 seconds of a song backwards and the listener that guesses the song wins a prize). I really want to make the station more about the music, but am also encouraging the staff to be real personalities. I want them to add as much as themselves to their shift as possible; the listeners will appreciate it more.

6) Let's talk about KTRX...Texoma's Rock Station. What do you mean by Texoma and what kind of Rock station is it?

Texoma is a term combined for the obvious reason we are both heard in Texas and Oklahoma, being only about 30 minutes from the Texas border you add them both together and you come up with Texoma! The station is a Mainstream Rocker that is aggressive with introducing newer music, I mean the core is 90s and 00s but I have always believed that there is room for many new artists. Why not give bands a shot? What does it really hurt at the end of the day? The rock listener isn't going to tune out if anything they will appreciate a new song from a new artist. I have always had this philosophy throughout my entire career; I mean the worst that happens is that the song doesn’t do well and you move on

7) Speaking of playing new Rock. Approximately how important by percentage is gut, research, sales, video play, and chart position when determining the status of a record?

Honestly in my world, it is 100% gut! As a listener first, if I don't feel it, it doesn't happen. This is especially true with the up-and-coming artists; what's the worst thing that would happen if a song doesn't react? You pull it, but the ability to add new music is what this industry was based on and as long as I can introduce new bands to the audience, then I will, cliché I know, but isn't that how the industry used to be? If you don't know the format, you're on or if you have to spend weeks researching and analyzing all the variables, maybe you need to reevaluate what you're doing, Rock music is emotional and I fit feels good from the inside of your soul, then BOOM ... that's it!

8) What's your take on current Rock music and the Active Rock format?

I think the Active Rock scene is struggling a bit to find its place in the world. I personally think it would be much stronger format if more chances were being taken on upcoming bands and not simply relying on the hit makers in the genre to turn things around.

9) How much does KTRX use Social Media like Facebook and Twitter to help enhance the Rock experience with its listeners?

Hey, it’s the way of the world now. If you aren’t trying to reach your listeners in every aspect of social media, then you are missing the boat so to speak, we try and do Facebook contest and have certainly been using the POLL feature. I feel it’s a great way to get a general feel about what the listeners want from you and their radio station. The main goal of social media, regardless of how you use it, is to make the listeners feel like you are one of them, you do that and you have found the holy grail in this crazy business.

10) Finally, where did the nickname "Muttley" come from and what does it all mean?

My nickname, ha! I was named by listeners, after the sidekick on the Dick Dastardly cartoon, you know Muttley, maybe it was due to a snickering laugh I have?